Biological Science


Topics
Overview
The work
Job profile
Requirement
Growth And money
Employment
Resources
Overview


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Biological scientists study living organisms and their relationship to their environment. Most specialise in some area of biology such as zoology (the study of animals) or microbiology (the study of microscopic organisms).

Many biological scientists work in research and development. Some conduct basic research to advance knowledge of living organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. Past research has resulted in the development of vaccines, medicines, and treatment for cancer and other diseases.

Basic biological research continues to provide the building blocks necessary to develop solutions to human health problems and to preserve and repair the natural environment.

Many biological scientists work independently in private industry, university, or government laboratories, often exploring new areas of research or expanding on specialised research started in graduate school.

Those who are not wage and salary workers in private industry typically submit grant proposals to obtain funding for their projects.

Colleges and universities, private industry and government agencies contribute to the support of scientists whose research proposals are determined to be financially feasible and have the potential to advance new ideas or processes.

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The Work

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Biological scientists who work in applied research or product development use knowledge provided by basic research to develop new drugs and medical treatments, increase crop yields, and protect and clean up the environment.

They usually have less autonomy than basic researchers to choose the emphasis of their research, relying instead on market-driven directions based on the firm’s products and goals.

Biological scientists doing applied research and product development in private industry may be required to express their research plans or results to non-scientists who are in a position to veto or approve their ideas, and they must understand the business impact of their work.

Scientists are increasingly working as part of teams, interacting with engineers, scientists of other disciplines, business managers, and technicians. Some biological and medical scientists also work with customers or suppliers, and manage budgets.

Biological scientists who conduct research usually work in laboratories and use electron microscopes, computers, thermal cyclers, or a wide variety of other equipment. Some conduct experiments using laboratory animals or greenhouse plants. For some biological scientists, a good deal of research is performed outside laboratories. For example, a botanist may do research in tropical rain forests to see what plants grow there, or an ecologist may study how a forest area recovers after a fire.

Some biological scientists work in managerial or administrative positions, usually after spending some time doing research and learning about the firm, agency, or project. They may plan and administer programmes for testing foods and drugs, for example, or direct activities at zoos or botanical gardens. Some biological scientists work as consultants to business firms or to the government, while others test and inspect foods, drugs, and other products.

In the 1980s, swift advances in basic biological knowledge related to genetics and molecules spurred growth in the field of biotechnology. Biological and medical scientists using this technology manipulate the genetic material of animals or plants, attempting to make organisms more productive or resistant to disease. Research using biotechnology techniques, such as recombining DNA, has led to the discovery of important drugs, including human insulin and growth hormone.

Many other substances not previously available in large quantities are starting to be produced by biotechnological means; some may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases.

Today, many biological scientists are involved in biotechnology, including those who work on isolating, identifying, and sequencing human genes. This work continues to lead to the discovery of the genes associated with specific diseases and inherited traits, such as certain types of cancer or obesity.

These advances in biotechnology have opened up research opportunities in almost all areas of biology, including commercial applications in agriculture, environmental remediation, and the food and chemical industries.

Biological scientists usually work regular hours in offices or laboratories and usually are not exposed to unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Those who work with dangerous organisms or toxic substances in the laboratory must follow strict safety procedures to avoid contamination. Many biological scientists such as botanists, ecologists, and zoologists take field trips that involve strenuous physical activity and primitive living conditions.

Some biological scientists depend on grant money to support their research. They may be under pressure to meet deadlines and conform to rigid grant-writing specifications when preparing proposals to seek new or extended funding.

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Job Profile

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Most biological scientists who come under the category of biologist are further classified by the type of organism they study or by the specific activity they perform, although recent advances in the understanding of basic life processes at the molecular and cellular levels have blurred some traditional classifications.

Aquatic biologists study plants and animals living in water. Marine biologists study salt water organisms and limnologists study fresh water organisms. Marine biologists are sometimes mistakenly called oceanographers, but oceanography is the study of the physical characteristics of oceans and the ocean floor.

Biochemists study the chemical composition of living things. They analyse the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. Biochemists and molecular biologists do most of their work in biotechnology, which involves understanding the complex chemistry of life.

Botanists study plants and their environment. Some study all aspects of plant life; others specialise in areas such as identification and classification of plants, the structure and function of plant parts, the biochemistry of plant processes, the causes and cures of plant diseases, and the geological record of plants.

Microbiologists investigate the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Medical microbiologists study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effect of antibiotics on micro organisms. Other microbiologists specialise in environmental, food, agricultural, or industrial microbiology, virology (the study of viruses), or immunology (the study of mechanisms that fight infections). Many microbiologists use biotechnology to advance knowledge of cell reproduction and human disease.

Physiologists study life functions of plants and animals, both in the whole organism and at the cellular or molecular level, under normal and abnormal conditions. Physiologists often specialise in functions such as growth, reproduction, photosynthesis, respiration, or movement, or in the physiology of a certain area or system of the organism.

Zoologists study animals—their origin, behavior, diseases, and life processes. Some experiment with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings while others dissect dead animals to study their structure. Zoologists are usually identified by the animal group studied—ornithologists (birds), mammalogists (mammals), herpetologists (reptiles), and ichthyologists (fish).

Ecologists study the relationship among organisms and between organisms and their environments and the effects of influences such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude.

Biological scientists who do biomedical research are usually called medical scientists. Medical scientists work on basic research into normal biological systems to understand the causes of and to discover treatment for disease and other health problems.

Medical scientists try to identify changes in a cell, chromosome, or even gene that signal the development of medical problems, such as different types of cancer. After identifying structures of or changes in organisms that provide clues to health problems, medical scientists work on the treatment of problems. For example, a medical scientist involved in cancer research may formulate a combination of drugs that will lessen the effects of the disease.

Medical scientists with a medical degree can administer these drugs to patients in clinical trials, monitor their reactions, and observe the results. (Medical scientists without a medical degree normally collaborate with a medical doctor who deals directly with patients.)

The medical scientist will return to the laboratory to examine the results and, if necessary, adjust the dosage levels to reduce negative side effects or to try to induce even better results. In addition to using basic research to develop treatments for health problems, medical scientists attempt to discover ways to prevent health problems from developing, such as affirming the link between smoking and increased risk of lung cancer, or between alcoholism and liver disease.

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Requirement
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For biological scientists, the Ph.D. degree is usually necessary for independent research and for advancjhvhjgkhement to administrative positions.

A master’s degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research or product development and for jobs in management, inspection, sales, and service.

The bachelor’s degree is adequate for some non-research jobs. Some graduates with a bachelor’s degree start as biological scientists in testing and inspection, or get jobs related to biological science such as technical sales or service representatives.

In some cases, graduates with a bachelor’s degree are able to work in a laboratory environment on their own projects, but this is unusual.

Some may work as research assistants. Others become biological technicians, medical laboratory technologists or, with courses in education, high school biology teachers. Many with a bachelor’s degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools.

Biological scientists should be able to work independently or as part of a team and be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Those in private industry, especially those who aspire to management or administrative positions, should possess strong business and communication skills and be familiar with regulatory issues and marketing and management techniques. Those doing field research in remote areas must have physical stamina.

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Growth And Money
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Biological scientists who have advanced degrees often take temporary postdoctoral research positions that provide specialised research experience. In private industry, some may become managers or administrators within biology; others leave biology for non-technical managerial, administrative, or sales jobs.

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Employment
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Most Biotechnologists are emplyed by the central or state governments, various departments under them, hospitals, private and state-funded, by pharmaceutical companies, independent resaerch laboratories, the drug industry, universities, and other educational institutions.

Biotechnology is ranked second as a growth sector after multimeda industry with a tremendous employement potential. Major contribution in areas such as environment, health, agriculture and pharmaceuticals is expected.

Most biotechnologists are employed in research and development, departments of institutions and industries involved in biotechnological work.

From the production of antimicrobial agents, reagents and consumables to the marketing of instruments used in biotechnological applications and research, opportunities for biotechnologists are on the increase. Biotechnologists work extensively in the production departments of these industries.

Generally Biotechnology students from enginerring stream are given preference for production jobs. Biotechnologists work in industries producing food, chemicals, bio-processed products, etc. They are involved in research in genetics, biochemistry and biochemical engineering and all areas where these processes are applied.

Industrial research and development covers areas such as chemical processes, increase in productivity, waste and pollution management. Some industries employ biotechnologists in thier marketing department to develop business in the sector where their product would be most required. They also help to identify biotechnological development opportunites for the industry in India and abroad.

A steep rise in employent is envisaged in environmental biotechnology as biotechnologists are expected to resolve crisis related to marine life, depletion of the atmosphere, etc. In the area of drugs and pharmaceuticals, there are new ventures both in the government and private sectors coming up.

Pharmaceutical industries are offering lucrative pay packets to biotechnologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists and biochemists. Government labs such as CDRI in Lucknow are constantly employing research workers/scientists.

Some industries/laboratories/institutes that employ biotechnologists in India are Hindustan Lever, Thapar Group, IDPL, Indian Vaccines Corporation, Hindustan Antibiotics, Sun pharma, Cadila, the Centre for Celluar and Molecular Biology, National Botanical Institute, Tata Energy Research Institute, CSIR, National Environment Research Institute, Nagpur, National Institute of Immunology, Delhi, CDRI, Lucknow, IIT, Mumbai and Delhi.

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Resources
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Most colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in biological science and many offer advanced degrees.

Curriculums for advanced degrees often emphasise a subfield such as microbiology or botany, but not all universities offer all curriculums.

Advanced degree programmes include classroom and field work, laboratory research, and a thesis or dissertation.

Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds can do post-graduate study in this field.

M.Tech/M.Sc. Biotechnology or Biochemistry with focus on Chemical Engineering or Agricultural Engineering:

M.Sc. Biotechnology is a two-year course after graduation (10+2+3) in Biological, Agricultural, Vetierinary Sciences/Agricultural Engineering.
M.Tech. in Biotechnology can be done after Chemical/Bio-chemical engineering, Leather Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology, Food Technology, B. Pharma and Dairy Technology.
Post-graduates in Life Sciences, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology, Pharamacology and Biophysics can aslo study for an M.Tech. in Biotechnology.

The IITs at Kharagpur and Delhi conduct a fve-year integrated biotechnology course for students who have finished their standard 12th.

A number of educational and research institutions like the National Institute of Immunology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Calcutta, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, etc., offer acadmic and research facilities.

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delh 110003, monitors the work going on the field of biotechnology in India. DBT encourages industrial houses to sponser candidates for research. DBT has also created the Biotechnology Consortium of India Limited (BCIL) for helping students in industrial experience after post-graduate or doctoral courses.
Students of Class 12 PCB who are in the first 20 of the CBSE biology merit list are awarded by the Department of Biotechnology to encourage them for a career in Biotechnological research.

The All India Combined Entrance Examination for admission to M.Sc./M.Sc. (Agriculture)/M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotech/M.Tech. Biotechnology is conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University at Ahmedabad, Amristsar, Banglore, Baroda, Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Calcutta, Calicut, Chandigrah, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwar, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Lucknow, Chennai, Madurai, Pantnagar, Pondicherry, Danapur Cantt. (Bihar), Pune, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvanthapuram, Varanasi and Vijayawada.

Address of the university/ institution

Course available

Admission requirments

Eastern Region

Jadavpur of Calcutta,700032, West Bengal

M.Tech

B.E./B.Tech. degree in Chemical Engg., Chemical Engg. with 55% marks. Refer common details.

University of Clcutta, Calcutta 700073.

M.Tech.
(Biotech)

B. Tech of University

Patna University, Patna 800005

B.Sc. with Biotech

Inter Sc. with Biology

Tezpur Univesity, PO Box 72, Tezpur 784001

M.Sc(Molcular Bio & Biotech)

Science graduates from life sciences zoology, botany, chemistry

Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Kameshwar Ngr, Darbhanga 846008

M.Sc

B.Sc.

Gawabati university, Guwahati 781014

M.Sc.

B.Sc

Northern Region

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, 169, Ravindra Nath Tagore Marg, Indore 452001, Madhya Pradewh

M.Sc

B.sc.(45% marks for Life Sciences Bio-technology). Refer common details.

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agiculture and Technology, Patnagar 263145. Distt- Nainital,

M.Sc.

B.Sc.(55%) or 50% and 2 yearsw teaching, research or field experience or 45% with 5 yrs. teaching experience. Entrance Exam. Refer common details.

Banaras hindu university, Varanasi 221005 Uttar pradesh

M.Sc.

Bachelor's degree in Sc./Engg./Tech./Agri. or MBBS, with 55% Admission test by JNU Refer common details.

Alligrah Musilim University, Aligrah-221002
Uttar Pradesh

M.Sc.

Bachelor's degree in Biological/ Physical Science, Agri, Veternary Science/ Bachelor's degree in Engg./Tech. or MBBS with 50% marks.

University of Rourkee, Rourkee 247667

M.Sc

B.Sc.

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110067 (This university holds a combined selection test for a number of University mentioned earlier)

M.Sc.

B.Sc with requisite percentage of marks and with such additional qualifications as may be prescribed from time to time.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029

Masters in Biotech

MBBS/VBSc/BSc(Hons.), Human Biology with 60%

Indain Institute of Technology, Hauzkhas, new Delhi 110049

M.Tech Integrated (5Yrs)

All India joint entrance exam is held, Students with PCM in 12th class are eligible

Consortium India Ltd, G-6 ( 3rd Floor), NSSE part 1, New
Delhi 110049

6 months Industrial training

M.Tech/ M.Sc.Biotech

Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigrah 160014

1 year Dip M.Sc

Agriculture/ Anthopology/ Botany/ Biology/ Chem/Biophys./ Microbio/ Physics/ zool. Refer common details.

Guru Nank Dev university,
Amritsar 143 005, Punjab

M.Sc.

B.Sc. with Hons. in relevent subject or B./sc. with 50% marks in aggregate. Refer to to common details for admission.

Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab

M.Sc

B,Sc. with Hons in relevent subject or B.Sc. with 50% marks aggregate . Refer to common details for admission

Pt. Ravishankar shukla Univ Raipur492010, MP

M.Sc

B.Sc.

Karukshankar shukla University, Kurukshetra 136119 Haryana

M.sc

B.sc with biological/phy/engg/ Veterinary/Agri/ Fish Sciences or MBBS with 55% mark

Jiwaji University, Gwalor 474011

M.Sc

B.Sc

Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill, Shimla 171005

M.Sc

B.Sc

Guru Gbassidas University PO Koni, Bilaspur 495009

M.Sc

B.Sc.

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar univ. of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni(Solan) 173230 (HP)

M.Sc.

B.Sc

Dr. Hari Singh Gaur Vishwavidyalya Gour nagar, Sagar 470003, MP

M.Sc

B.Sc

Western Region

The Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara 390002, Gujarat

M.Sc

B.Sc. Refer to common details for admission test by JNU

Indain institute of technlogy IIT Powai, Mumbai 400076 maharashtra

M.Sc

Bachelor's degree in sciences with physics, chemistry and Maths with relevent combination and prescribed percentage of marks.

Amravathi Univ, Tapowan Rd. Camp. Amravathi 444602, Maharashtra

M.Sc.

B.Sc.

Marthwada University, Aurangbad 431004, Maharashtra

M.Sc

B.Sc. Exam of the University or an exam recognised hitherto

North maharashtra Univ., Jalgaon 425001

M.Sc

B.Sc.

Banasthali Vidyapeeth, PO Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Rajasthan

m.Sc

women graduates from biological/physical sciences, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary sciences, fishery sciences, engineering, medicine with 55% marks may take entrance test.

Birla Institute of Technology & Science , Pilani 333031

ME
Biotech

Ist degree of BITS, Pilani.

University of Poona, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411007

M.Sc.

B.Sc. Refer to common details for JNU

Goa University, P.O. Santa Cruz, Taleigao Plateau, Goa 403002

M.Sc.(Marine Biotech)

B.Sc. with 55% marks. Admissions on the basis of entrance test. (See common details for JNU)

Southern Region

University of hyderabad, Hyderabad 500134

M.Sc

B.Sc.(see details in foregoing section)

Jawaharlal nehru Tech University, masab Tank Mahaveer marg, hyderabad 500028, A.P.

M.Tech

B.Tech.9Chemical Engg/Food Tech/ Bio, Chem Engg) or M.Sc. Chemistry, biotech, Microbio, Genetics.

University of Mysore, Mysore 570005

M.Sc.

B.sc. with 50-60% marks.

Cochin University of Science and Technology. P.O. Kochi 682022

M.Sc

B.Sc with 50% see common details for admission through JNU entrance test.

mahatma Gandhi Univ, Kottayam kerala 686560

M.sc

B.Sc

University of Kerala, Thiruvanthapuram 695034

M.Sc.

B.Sc.

University of Calicut, Malappuram Distt., Kozhikode 673635

M.Sc. B.Sc with Biotech.

B.Sc. XII PCB

University Of Chennai, Centenary buildings, Chepauk, Chennai 600005
TamilNadu

M.sc

B.Sc. Life Sc.9Bio, chemistry, Bot., zool, Microbio.,Home Sc., Applied Microbio.,Env, Biology) maths, physics, Chemistry, Agriculture/B.E., MBBS, B.Pharma.

Madurai-Kamraj University, Palkalai nagar,
madurai 625021

M.sc

B.Sc. chemistry/Botany/Biology/
Agri/Vet, Sc./Zoology/Engg. tech. or MBBS with 55% marks.

Bhaathiyar university, Muruthmalai Road, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu

M.Sc.

B.Sc

Tamil nadu GD Naidu Agricultural University.
Coimbatore-641003 TN

M.Sc.

Bachelor's degree with relevant subjects 70% marks

Anna university, Center for Biotechnology Guindy, Chnnai 600025

B.Tech Industrial Biotech M.Tech

H.Sc. with PCM/Dip of State Board of Tech. Education B.Tech (All India Entrance test is conducted by JNU in April)

 

Ph.D. and post-Doctoral Research in biotechnology: JNU, Delhi; IIT, Delhi; National Institute of Immunology, Delhi; International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi; Indian Institute of Science, Banglore, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi; Bose Institute, Calcutta.

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